BRISTOL, Conn. -- There's a quiet, reserved manner in which UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic carries himself that lies in perfect contrast with his reputation as a feared slugger inside the Octagon.
"I don't think that I have any swagger," he said. "That's the problem. I just like to fight. I just like to do my thing and walk out."
Miocic (15-2) visited ESPN headquarters Tuesday to discuss his first title defense, which takes place Saturday at UFC 203 against Alistair Overeem at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The demands of media at this level are relatively new for Miocic, 34, who despite steadily climbing the UFC ladder in recent years remains a newcomer to the spotlight after knocking out Fabricio Werdum with one punch in May at UFC 198 in Brazil to capture the title.
While Miocic admits he's getting better at handling the attention, he wouldn't go as far as saying that it comes naturally for him.
"Honestly, I just like fighting," he said. "I honestly don't like the media and stuff like that. It's not that you guys are mean or anything, I'm just not that good at talking. I talk a lot and talk fast and mumble a lot. I just get real nervous in front of a camera, and I can't be myself."
It's interesting to imagine a 6-foot-4, 245-pound man with Miocic's power feeling less nervous fighting in front of millions inside a cage than when he's answering questions on a television set. But as Miocic likes to say, that's his job.
"I'm always nervous walking into the cage, but I've been doing it for so long that it's just business," Miocic said. "I want to go out there and do my job. I've been training for it much too long to go in there scared. I'm nervous and everything, but once the Octagon door closes, it's game on."
The last four months have been life-changing for Miocic, who won the title in May and got married to his girlfriend, Ryan, one month later. Along the way, he played a major part in the resurgence of the sports landscape in Cleveland, a short drive from where he was raised in the suburb of Euclid, Ohio.
Miocic's win over Werdum happened on the same night the ESPN 30 for 30 film "Believeland" made its debut, chronicling the 50-year title drought in the city of Cleveland. Soon after, the Cavaliers rallied to win an NBA title. Miocic appeared in the team's parade and became a spokesman of sorts for the city's new championship identity.
"It has been an amazing whirlwind," Miocic said. "It's what Cleveland needed."
But Miocic said he isn't worried about his homecoming narrative entering Saturday's fight, admitting it will be no different than if he were training in Brazil with no one worrying about him. His lone focus is to guarantee he exits the cage with the title he has yet to defend.
Considering the recent climate in the UFC this year, with one upset after another in title fights, Miocic's concern makes sense. There's also the promotion's history in the heavyweight division, where no champion has ever made more than two consecutive title defenses.
Miocic said he believes he is only scratching the surface of his potential and admits to having extra motivation to prove people wrong.
"I think a lot of people underestimate me," Miocic said. "I think they see me, and they don't think that I'm that good of a fighter. But then I shut people up, which I'm good at doing."
Despite headlining Saturday's card, Miocic will be sharing the bill in a way with former WWE star Phil "CM Punk" Brooks, who makes his long-awaited UFC debut against Mickey Gall in a welterweight bout on the pay-per-view main card.
Miocic has heard the naysayers who have questioned whether an entertainer such as Brooks should get the push into a prominent slot on the card, but he said he doesn't agree with them.
"I hope he goes out there and shocks a lot of people," Miocic said. "I can tell he has put in his time and effort. It is what it is. If people don't like him because he's a WWE guy and is getting a fast track, well guess what? It's part of what makes the sport more popular.
"He has put in the time, and now it's time to fight. I give him all of the credit."
Miocic said he has equal respect for Overeem (41-14), whom he calls "an amazing fighter" with experience facing the best fighters in the world.
"He's an amazing kickboxer, he's good on the ground and he's strong," Miocic said. "He's real savvy and a veteran. But I've seen a lot of things where he makes mistakes. We all make mistakes and have flaws. But he hasn't faced someone like me yet."
Even while delivering quotes that are filled with tough guy imagery, Miocic has a way of retaining his calm, everyman feel. It's no surprise, considering he hasn't quit his day job as a firefighter and paramedic in Ohio despite becoming the UFC heavyweight champion.
Miocic might bring a blue-collar feel to the term "baddest man on the planet," a title typically reserved for the heavyweight champion of any combat discipline, but make no mistake -- there's dynamite in his fists. Miocic said he expects nothing but action when he stands across the cage from Overeem.
"There will definitely be fireworks between us," Miocic said. "It will be a great fight, but I'm going to walk out [and hear], 'And still,' with the belt wrapped around my waist."